Wind Concerns Ontario is a province-wide advocacy organization whose mission is to provide information on the potential impact of industrial-scale wind power generation on the economy, human health, and the natural environment.

Chaos on Amherst Island

Road closures on February 7: concerns about safety and violations of road use agreements [Photo: Brian Little]

February 9, 2018

Of course, one expects there to be a certain amount of upset when a community is in the midst of construction, especially such a huge project as the (unwanted, unneeded) wind power project on Amherst Island.

But residents there are deeply concerned over unscheduled road closures, road blockages and more. On Tuesday, a resident reports, roads were closed so that people could not leave their properties at all—questions were raised about access by emergency vehicles, should they have been needed.

In a recent report by Global News, residents state that unscheduled road closures have meant missed ferry trips to the mainland, but there is more. The local mayor says the wind power developer is actually out of compliance with agreements and contract conditions.

Loyalist Township Mayor Bill Lowry says he’s exhausted and frustrated that promises that were made to the municipality have been broken. He says residents are voicing their concerns to council but their patience is running out.

“How long do we have to take this, how long does the island have to take this? It’s been far too long, we’ve been three months of being out of compliance,” Lowry, told Global News.

“I’m in communication last week and this week with the IESO, which is the Independent Electricity System Operations, which are basically responsible for the construction of these energy projects. I’m so frustrated with the province in the fact that they don’t have a ministry that’s coming to our aid.”

In a statement to CKWS News, Windlectric Inc. says in part, “there is an agreed upon Operations Plan that sets out how to best build the project in a way that is minimally disruptive for area residents. Our goal is for all aspects of the project to run smoothly.”

Where is the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change? Where is the IESO? Where is the Ontario Ministry of Labour?

Where are the government assurances of a better, safe environment for the people of Amherst Island?

It is so disappointing and disillusioning to have your paid and elected leaders ignoring and even mocking residents who are experiencing serious distress because of the incursion of industrial wind. In Ashfield Colborne Wawanosh there is a Councillor who said that as a Canadian it was her democratic right to vote against the people being harmed who had been reporting the harm for many months. She openly voted in support of the leaseholders. People being harmed were sitting in the Council Chambers, right in front of her, and she had no qualms about saying that. It was piercing cruelty and it left an indelible impression.
After all that other communities have gone through, it is so sad to think that the people of Bala are having to go through this now.
What will the impact be on tourism?

Same here in DD….
Weve got a councillor that continually votes against his constituents 84% opposition to the wind project….
You would think that with an 84% opposition to the wind project you would represent the people who elected you to your position…. but nope…. this councillor knows what is good and what is safe for all the constituents as well as the municipality…

Please note the following published at the end of the above article. Why are Engineers Ireland pointing to a decision made by a government agency in Australia?

“The opinions expressed in this article are the authors’ own and do not represent the views of Engineers Ireland. For details of the Australian Administrative Appeals Tribunal Decision into the effects, if any, of ILFN on human health, please read the following document (PDF): waubra-and-acnc-decision. The section of the Australian decision that deals with Prof Alves-Pereira’s testimony is on pages 123-124.”

Now I wonder who wrote the article!
I really think the mayor knew about this but anyway here is how I predict some of the disruptions.
It is possible to get some road deviations or bypasses and even some closures in advance by using Google Earth Satelite maps and noticing where the width is not at least 40 feet. Also any tight corners will need modification but probably not a closure.
I spotted a couple trees on Front Rd that might get a trim also.
The hydro poles can be clearly seen and their shadow gives an approximate height, type and if it has a residential transformer. Any place where the line crosses the road could require a temporary disconnect so simply follow that line and all users on the load side will be affected. I see only one on Dump road with no dwelling so no problem there but the rest have multiple crossings so possible grief. The feeder section can easily be seen at the waters edge.
The Ministry also has drone videos and stills but maybe not for public viewing, ask the mayor.
Good-luck!
Stan